Outlook: The Green Wave doesn’t have much depth overall, but Cobb believes he has three quality pitchers who can keep Ashbrook close in some games. Ashbrook graduated its only all-conference selection, pitcher Cramer Lewis. The Green Wave is looking for its first winning season since 2006 and first playoff berth since 2008.

Outlook: The Chargers return an all-conference performer in Melton from their runner-up team and again expect to contend at or near the top of the league. The entire infield returns from last year and the Chargers have good speed. Crest graduated top pitcher and Big South co-player of the year Nick Triplett and all-conference outfielder C.J. Brooks. On the college front, Luckadoo has committed to Mars Hill while Jones, Melton, Hastings, Canipe and Keller are drawing recruiting interest.

Outlook: After a stirring run to the fourth round of the state playoffs last season, the Jaguars lost a pair of North Carolina signees in Reilly Hovis and Zach Daly. Horne, though, expects his team to be improved offensively due to experienced returnees. Forestview is also solid on the mound with a pair of college commitments in Stallings (Limestone) and Rumburg (Belmont Abbey). Hunn is the team’s lone returning all-conference selection.

Outlook: Mellon believes this team can be competitive if the young pitchers progress, and the potential has already been realized with this week’s conference win over North Gaston. The Huskies graduated both of their all-conference picks, Darren Stillwell and Eric Jordan.

Outlook: Bridges believes pitching is the team’s biggest strength, and that starts with Sellers, who has signed with Gardner-Webb. Bridges has confidence in the rest of the staff, which features juniors Grooms, Bolin and Reynolds. Kings Mountain graduated its only all-conference selection in Dallas Conner.

Outlook: The Wildcats expect to be a playoff contender out of the Big South behind an experienced lineup featuring three returning all-conference performers in Lowery, Wallace and Smith. Martin believes the Wildcats should be a solid defensive team this season with good starting pitching, but the pitching staff isn’t deep. North Gaston graduated all-conference third baseman/pitcher Brandon Bridges.

Outlook: After a dominant 2012, South Point is once again the Big South favorite with an abundance of experience in the lineup. Of South Point’s league-leading eight all-conference selections last season, six of them return: Locklear, Lawing, Perry, Johnson, Painter and Pace, although Pace was lost to season-ending Tommy John surgery. Big South co-player of the year Logan Walden (pitcher) and catcher Patrick Horne were the two all-conference picks that graduated. Back on the roster are five college signees: Locklear (Charleston Southern), Wiles (Hampden-Sydney), Painter (North Greenville), Lawing (North Greenville) and Pace (Winthrop).

Outlook: The Ironmen return almost everyone from last year’s young team, including all of the pitchers and a pair of all-conference selections in Carpenter and Jackson. Still, Cherryville is young with only one senior. Heavner believes his team could be fun to watch toward the end of the season.

Outlook: The strength of this team is pitching, specifically Reep, who has already struck out 34 batters in three appearances. The Rams are off to a 3-2 start, including 1-1 in the conference. They’re hopeful of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and are looking to break the school’s win record of five.

Outlook: The defending conference champs should be strong on the mound with the return of league player of the year Parrish (4-0 with two saves), Salter (primary relief pitcher prior to injury) and Young (6-1). Salter has already pitched a perfect game. Parrish has signed with Western Carolina and Hodges has signed with Catawba Valley Community College. Other all-conference players returning other than Parrish are Sullivan and Hodges.

Outlook: Norton is the top returnee for the Knights after earning all-conference honors a year ago. Carpenter believes pitching will be able to keep his team in some games but he’s looking for more production at the plate if this team is going to be successful.

Page 5 of 5 - Outlook: The Rebels expect to challenge East Lincoln for the conference title with loads of talent returning to the lineup. The experienced roster is led by Huff, Towery, High, Jenkins, and Braun, who are starting their third year together. Huff is headed to Lenoir-Rhyne next season and High and Jenkins are also drawing collegiate interest. Chapman believes this team has the potential to hit throughout the lineup and he likes the pitching staff of High, Johnson and Jenkins with help from Strange and Towery.

Outlook: Sellers said his team will need to take advantage of its team speed by bunting, stealing and executing hit and run situations. The Warriors return five of their top five batters from a year ago including top two hitters Chapman (.348) and Price (.323). On the mound, Grimmett has already pitched a perfect game this season and Price logged a 1.84 ERA in 19 2/3 innings last season. The Warriors have a college signee in Williams (St. Andrews).